Associate Director of Financial Aid

Job description

Position Statement:

Founded in 2005, Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) is the 31st member of the University System of Georgia. GGC is a premier 21st century liberal arts institution accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. With a current enrollment of over 12,000 students, enrollment is projected to exceed 13,000 students in 2017, including both residential and commuter students. GGC’s innovative practices, caring culture, and extremely affordable tuition are changing the game in higher education and changing the future for students at all levels, of all ages, and from all walks of life. Gwinnett County (pop. 850,000+) is home to a variety of businesses, including organizations involved in health care, education and information technology.?

Position Title: Associate Director of Financial Aid

Job Category:Staff

Department:Financial Aid - 6510410

Division:Academic Affairs

Required Documents:Cover Letter, ResumeDescription:

Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid, the Associate Director provides leadership and vision to the Financial Aid Office and the Department of Enrollment Management. The Associate Director works with the Director to formulate goals and objectives in order to meet the needs and visions of the institution. In addition, the Associate Director supervises the Assistant Director for Customer Service and the Default Manager.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Serves as lead financial aid administrator in the absence of the director. Supervises Assistant Directors of Customer Service and Processing as well as the Default Manager. Meets regularly with leadership team to make plans that are in line with office goals and objectives. Coordinates activities with outside offices and assigns responsibility to staff to be point of contact for each area.

Responsible for development of departmental staff. Based on recommendations from the Assistant Director of Compliance, will prepare a staff training plan for the year. In addition, this position will determine individual development plans for staff members that will include but are not limited to office or institutional training; webinars; conferences; or off campus training. Provides direction in obtaining the appropriate resources needed for the goals.

Coordinates and implements the communication plan for financial aid applicants. Coordinates with the Office of Admissions to determine timing of communications are appropriate and meet all required standards. Monitors the communications sent to students and ensures that communications are timely and accurate. Coordinates all outbound call campaigns and determines priorities as well as messaging.

Processes all Professional Judgment requests. Establishes policies regarding review, approval and denial of all cases. Documents and communicates all decisions to the appropriate parties.

Manages all student requests for institutional funding to cover outstanding balances. Coordinates with Development to determine available funding; ensures compliance with awarding; reports and reconciles all expenditures. Makes recommendations for funding to the Provost. Communicates with students any outcome. Awards approved funds in a timely manner.

Develops and coordinates the distribution of all Financial Aid publications. Coordinates with Public Affairs and Admissions to develop a Financial Aid "brand" that will carry through all publications. Assesses the need for publications and determines areas where information needs to be improved. Approves all NextGen web forms or paper forms created by staff.

Works with the Director in developing long-range plans and operational practices. Ensures the execution of the overall operational plan and objectives. Responsible to updating goals and objectives in the WEAVE system. Prepares the COOP plan and serves as the point of contact for updating and communicating the plans. Oversees all staff meetings to ensure that staff are well informed of any goals, policies or activities. Communicates expectations of staff in meeting each of these.

Develops and ensures federal and state compliant content for financial aid website and assists in the coordination of the relevancy, usefulness, and accuracy of information on the GGC website related to financial aid and Consumer Information. Communicates with Public Relations regarding financial aid information provided to the public.

Assists students and parents in navigating the financial aid process. Troubleshoots difficult cases referred by Assistant Director of Financial Aid - Customer Service. Serves as a liaison between the President's and Provost's offices.

Performs other duties, as assigned.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications:

QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED:

Bachelor's Degree required

At least three to five years experience in student aid, higher education administration or in a related field which requires the interpretation and application of public regulations and policies

Financial aid experience in a higher education environment, with knowledge of rules and regulations as they pertain to Federal Title IV funding strongly preferred

Position Disclosure:

Due to the volume of applications, applicants may not receive a reply from the College unless an applicant is selected for an interview. Review of applications will continue until positions are filled. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States and proof of eligibility will be contemporaneously required upon acceptance of an employment offer. Any resulting employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation and credit check if applicable to the position, as determined by Georgia Gwinnett College in its sole discretion. Georgia Gwinnett College, a unit of the University System of Georgia, is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability or religion. Georgia is an open records state.

Physical Requirements

Position may require local travel. Ability to lift and carry files and materials. Ability to move from one office to another office on campus. Adequate vision, hearing and manual dexterity to interact with people in person, on the phone and in writing. Applicant must be able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations.

Work Hours:Position may require non-standard work hours (nights and weekends).